NURSES ACCUSE HSE OF BEING RECKLESS

Nurses are accusing the HSE of being reckless in their efforts to deal with hospital overcrowding.

The INMO says from today patients will be admitted to additional beds despite a lack of staff to care for them.

It comes following days of controversy over the numbers of patients on trolleys across the country - yesterday nurses recorded more than 500 waiting on a bed.

Meanwhile, Cork County Council has heard this week that money should be invested in St Stephen's Hospital at Sarsfield Court in Glanmire which could alleviate pressure on the other facilities in the city.

Local Independent County Councillor Ger Keohane says it`s an underutilised facility which could provide services to a huge cross-section of the East Cork community.

He told C103 News that given the difficulties being faced by the acute hospitals like CUH and the Mercy, St Stephen`s could be the answer if the HSE would only make the case to the Minister for Health